“Is he a police dog?” “No, he’s a friendship dog.” “Why is he here?” “We brought him to your school to see if anybody would like to pet him. Maybe somebody needs a friend today.” “I do. I need a friend.” “Then Sam is here to see you.” We brought our pal Sam to some […]
You guys, it’s November. And I just realized that I love November like nobody's business. For as vocal as I am about all things that are the color and scent and flavor of October, I think it’s possible I love November more. It might be a new affection, and if that’s the case, just let […]
I’m not particularly qualified by profession or education to offer counseling or therapy, wisdom or advice. I don’t have a doctorate or a master’s degree, I’m not a theologian or philosopher, and I can’t talk about the economy or politics or the universe. I will say, though, it is widely known in my small circle […]
I think one of God's greatest creations is women. That's not a feminist statement or sexist statement, because - believe me - I also think very highly of God's masculine workmanship. Very. But what's on my mind today is the collective of women. The sisterhood. He created us together, to listen to each other, […]
Confession: I don't like negative emotions, and I've often been known to swoop in and rescue someone from their rightful feelings. When a friend's heart is broken, I want to rescue her. When she is discouraged, I want to offer encouragement. When she is lonely, I want to come alongside. And sometimes that's not what […]
Sometimes there are people you love because you learned to love them a long time ago, because when you say, "Remember the night we went skinny-dipping in the dean's pool?" she says yes. ~ Anna Quindlen, Every Last One
"It's probably a silly question, but is anybody eating before we meet for dinner tonight? We are eating kind of late, and i am feeding the kids now, so... Trying to decide." "I'm planning to eat when we are together. Snacking on some fruit now." "Fruit? Tricia? Are you the one who said that? Fruit?! […]
Dear Anxiety, Here's the deal about this weekend in Ohio: you are not invited. I am returning to my hometown, the city where Robb and I were engaged, got married, where we shared our first apartment and bought our first home. I will see my aunts, uncles, and cousins, and I can't possibly tell you […]
I have heard the following quotes recently: "Look out: she's a writer. She'll tell the world." "Can you repeat that quote? It's a good one. Plus, we'll see it on Tricia's blog in the morning." "Be warned: whatever you say can and will be used against you on the internet." "She's a blogger. Everything is […]
We trust our friends to tell us what we need to know, and to shield us from what we don't need to discover, and to have the wisdom to know the difference. Real friends offer both hard truths and soft landings and realize that it's sometimes more important to be nice than to be honest. […]
How are you holding up? What are you up to? I'm in bed. The short response worries me. Not good, I'm guessing. It's too much. It's all just too much. It is too much. For anyone to handle on their own. Can you talk to me? Tell me what's in your head? On your heart? […]
"You've signed up for an improv workshop today, so already I know something about you. You are fun, and you like to try new things." This is how Tripp welcomed us. So, for anyone who needs clarity, I am fun. The generosity of strangers. It is pretty vulnerable to think on your feet, evoke emotion, […]
A friend of a friend has a little boy named Jerend. Word nerds that we are, we kind of want to cross out his name and write Gerund. And then ask his parents if they know they named him a part of speech, and spelled it wrong at that. It's probably the mother's maiden name […]
I was on the phone with Laurelyn. (You know how I love Laurelyn.) I sat at the top of the stairs in my jammies, since that's been my talk-on-the-phone spot in every home I've lived in since age 11, when I first remember finding any interest in the phone. The boys came in and out, […]
We have an unofficial Mayor of the Cul de Sac, a jovial guy whom you just really want to be in charge. You could feel like you might want to hand him a microphone, except he doesn't need one. His voice is booming, his laughter is contagious, he's the leader of our tribe, and he […]
Tonight I said goodbye to my girl, Lisa - the first Tuesday to leave the nest. She sent me home with her bridal bouquet, sunflowers wrapped in white satin ribbon, from her wedding on Saturday. They sunflowers would never survive the drive to her new home, so I'll keep them in a vase on my […]
"There is a value and comfort in being here and understanding what matters most is only who you were to someone else." - Elizabeth Berg, Talk Before Sleep
One friend lost her dad this week. Suddenly, unexpectedly. I pray for her courage as she is with her family, a broken tribe without a patriarch. One friend just learned of many cancerous lumps growing within her. I pray for her strength to begin this journey. One friend just learned that the ultrasound found nothing […]
The boys each brought a friend home from school today. Tyler invited a little girl, and he honored her as the only lady in their midst. Which means he carried her backpack for her and ordered the other boys to stop talking about Mr. Poopy Farty Diaper Head. "Hey. There's a lady here, you guys." […]
She was volunteering as a classroom mom on the day when the reptiles came to visit. The reptologist brought her up front for the demonstration, and he put a boa constrictor around her neck. The boa's name was Mrs. Pretzel. As I listened to the story, her daughter said, "Mom, I remember thinking you were […]
